Every year, millions of people get their first job—even without speaking a second language or having standout skills—and you can too! Starting a career doesn’t always require extensive experience. Your motivation and persistence can be the key to landing that first opportunity. Begin by identifying your strengths and unique traits that are valuable in today’s job market.

💼 You Have More to Offer Than You Think

A résumé is rarely ever truly “empty.” Even if you’re a student or a recent graduate, you already have valuable attributes:

  • Youth and energy
  • Native language(s) and cultural background
  • Education, professors, alumni network
  • Free time you can invest in self-learning

Make the most of these assets: study new skills, read industry literature, take online courses, and join volunteer projects.

🧭 Two Common Paths for Starting Your Career

Before applying, clarify your priorities. There are usually two main paths:

  1. You want a full-time job, but don’t yet have the skills.
    → Start with part-time jobs or freelance gigs while building your expertise.
  2. You’re switching fields after years in an unfulfilling or low-paying job.
    → Explore freelance careers, agency work, or digital skills training in a new field.

Either way, your first step is creating a profile on job search platforms (LinkedIn, Glassdoor, freelance sites).

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